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2013 GMC Yukon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Yukon do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 103.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 43 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

32 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2024
Air Bags

I received a safety recall notice for my vehicle and scheduled an appointment for repair, #N212328790. Upon arriving, the dealer advised me there was a very small crack in the dash and if the dash cracked during the removal or installation, GM would NOT reimburse for any damage to the dash. The default was with the manufactur…

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I received a safety recall notice for my vehicle and scheduled an appointment for repair, #N212328790. Upon arriving, the dealer advised me there was a very small crack in the dash and if the dash cracked during the removal or installation, GM would NOT reimburse for any damage to the dash. The default was with the manufacturer and if they didn't replace it correctly, I'd be out serious money to replace and maintain the value of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11605190

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2023
Air Bags

The issue is that we have to sign off on liability for the dealer to install the new safety airbag to state that we are accepting a cracked dashboard. This is ridiculous and the manufacturer (GMC) should have to replace the dashbboard along with the air bag.

NHTSA ODI #11555317

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2022
Air BagsStructure

Was told by my local dealer that they did not have to complete to recall unless I signed a document holding them blameless if they cracked my dashboard or cracked it worst than it already is. I declined to sign until I could investigate why I absolutely had to sign a document absolving GM of their bad design. I believe it to be …

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Was told by my local dealer that they did not have to complete to recall unless I signed a document holding them blameless if they cracked my dashboard or cracked it worst than it already is. I declined to sign until I could investigate why I absolutely had to sign a document absolving GM of their bad design. I believe it to be unjust and insulting that we are required to choose between the safety of our vehicles vs the possible destruction of the interior due to GM's poor design. I did not get a picture of the document before I left the dealer but was told I could bring it back later if I wanted it fixed but I would have to sign the document.

NHTSA ODI #11472498

190,000 miles · Mar 28, 2022
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bags inadvertently deployed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he was not involved in any crash and did not know what caused the failure. The contact stated that there was…

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The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bags inadvertently deployed. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he was not involved in any crash and did not know what caused the failure. The contact stated that there was no injury. The contact stated that he then rolled the air bags up in order to be able to see as he drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer who informed him that the failure was not related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that he had not contacted the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #11458680

108,000 miles · Mar 17, 2022
Air BagsInjury

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH the driver's side curtain, passenger side curtain and ceiling air bags deployed with no accident occurring. The contact stated her son did not see any warning light illuminated. The contact's son safely pulled over to the side of…

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The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH the driver's side curtain, passenger side curtain and ceiling air bags deployed with no accident occurring. The contact stated her son did not see any warning light illuminated. The contact's son safely pulled over to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact's son attempted to restart the vehicle, however it took several attempts to restart the vehicle. The son suffered injuries to the left side of his face and top of head, but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had not been taken to local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457127

174,000 miles · Feb 25, 2022
Air BagsCrash

The contact’s son owned a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while her son was driving 25 MPH on an icy roadway while slowing down to change lanes he lost control of the vehicle after hitting a patch of ice. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle went off the road ran through a residential fence, then collided wi…

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The contact’s son owned a 2013 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while her son was driving 25 MPH on an icy roadway while slowing down to change lanes he lost control of the vehicle after hitting a patch of ice. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle went off the road ran through a residential fence, then collided with a parked vehicle with the rear end, ricocheted off that vehicle, then slid and collided with a tree on the driver’s side door. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact stated her son was not injured. The vehicle was drivable and driven back to the contact's residence. Later the vehicle was towed to a local dealer where an insurance adjuster declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that she had received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.

NHTSA ODI #11454133

60,000 miles · Nov 29, 2021
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she noticed a vibrating sound coming from the passenger’s side dashboard. She stated that there was a split in the dashboard that was causing the sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned …

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The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she noticed a vibrating sound coming from the passenger’s side dashboard. She stated that there was a split in the dashboard that was causing the sound. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was concerned that in the event of a crash, the air bag would not deploy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) and an appointment was scheduled to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11441921

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2021
Air Bags

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that since his dashboard was cracked, the recall could not be performed free of charge. The contact was provided an estimate for the dashboard…

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Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 GMC Yukon. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, upon contacting the dealer, he was informed that since his dashboard was cracked, the recall could not be performed free of charge. The contact was provided an estimate for the dashboard repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer should have covered the cost of the dashboard due to the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11441005

120,000 miles · Mar 29, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

DASHBOARD HAD 1 CRACK KNOWN PRIOR TO TAKATA RECALL, WHEN PICKED UP SEVERAL NEW CRACKS NOW EXIST. DEALER DENIED ANY WRONGDOING AND SUGGESTED I PURCHASE A COVER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. GMC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR DASHBOARD AS WELL AS POOR DESIGN/FAULTY DOOR HANDLES THAT BREAK EASILY BUT ENTIRE PANEL PURCHASE IS THE…

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DASHBOARD HAD 1 CRACK KNOWN PRIOR TO TAKATA RECALL, WHEN PICKED UP SEVERAL NEW CRACKS NOW EXIST. DEALER DENIED ANY WRONGDOING AND SUGGESTED I PURCHASE A COVER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. GMC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF QUALITY CONTROL FOR DASHBOARD AS WELL AS POOR DESIGN/FAULTY DOOR HANDLES THAT BREAK EASILY BUT ENTIRE PANEL PURCHASE IS THE ONLY REMEDY. NO MORE GENERAL MOTOR VEHICLES FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11405378

185,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Air BagsStructure

WHILE DRIVING IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WE HEARD A CRACK FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER SAW THE DASHBOARD HAD CRACKED. THE CRACK IS IN THE MIDDLE THOUGH I'M CONCERNED IT MAY INTERFERE WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY IN THE SUMMERTIME. THE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WAS SET TO 76 DEGREES. WE WERE O…

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WHILE DRIVING IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WE HEARD A CRACK FROM THE FRONT AREA OF THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER SAW THE DASHBOARD HAD CRACKED. THE CRACK IS IN THE MIDDLE THOUGH I'M CONCERNED IT MAY INTERFERE WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY IN THE SUMMERTIME. THE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE WAS SET TO 76 DEGREES. WE WERE ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY, GOING ABOUT 50MPH. WE DID NOT HIT ANY ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS OR HOLES. SINCE THE INITIAL CRACK OCCURRENCE, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL LENGTHENING CRACKS, IN BOTH SUMMER AND WINTER, (OHIO) WHERE WE HEARD CRACKING SOUNDS BOTH DRIVING AND AT REST (PARKED BUT IDLING) I DON'T HAVE PICTURES AT THIS TIME, THOUGH I CAN PROVIDE CURRENT JPG'S IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI #11397058

Official recalls

4

21V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

14V614000 · Electrical System

Oct 1, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

13V001000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

Jan 2, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.

Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.